bain and f



B. F. BAIN AND F. L. SHAFFER.

MECHANICAL TOY FOOTBALL PLAYER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3' I919.

Patented Dec. 16, 1919.

F'Il3.Z.

WITNESSES .INV'ENTOR ranged to contact with the top of the base in order to limit the movement of the loop 19 in a rearward"direction. The catch member 16 13 provided with an upturned portion 24: to be engaged by the heel of the 'liiclring foot when the latter is pulled bachwardly, in order to lift the forward end of catch lever 18 to engage it with the trigger loop 19 when setting the device. The forward end of the lever 18 is beveled, as shown at 25, in order to automatically engage it with the trigger loop 19 when the upturned portion 24 is pressed backwardly. Er stirrup 26 depends from the top wall of the base rearwardly of the trigger loop 19 and serves to prevent the forward end of the catch lever 18 from dropping below the lower edge of the base. 7

The trigger arms 22 are in such position that when the ball, shown as 27, is dropped onto the same, to release the leg 5, the ball will be in such position that it will be squarely hit by the foot on leg 5 in its forward motion. In order to guide this ball into proper relation to the trigger arms 22 so that it will be squarely hit by the forwardly moving foot, the arms 28 of the figme are extended forwardly and the hand portions thereof connected by a ring 29, which is in such position that when the ball is dropped throughrthe same it will strike squarely between the trigger arms 22, and therefore be in position to be squarely hit by the forwardly moving foot. Preferably this ring will be open on the forward side, as shown at 30, to allow a cord or twine to be attached to the ball for retrieving it, which cord will escape through the opening 30 when the ball is kicked.

In order that the ball bepropelled the greatest distance it is necessary that it be very light, the ball preferably being a small hollow celluloid ball of the kind used in playing the game of ping pong. Inasmuch as the ball is very light the trigger mechanism must be very sensitive in order to be released by such light weight ball. The mechanism illustrated is of this character being so arranged as to offer the miniward pressure of the forward end of the catch lever 18 on the trigger loop 19. Also, the trigger device 18 nicely balanced so that a very slight weight falling on the trigger arms 22 is suflicient to oscillate said trigger device to release the trigger loop 19 from the catch lever 18 and permit the locked foot to be released.

In the use of the device the mechanism is set by pulling backwardly on the movable leg 5. In this backward movement the heel of the movable foot contacts with the upturned portion 2-1 on the catch, thus lifting the catch portion 17 to bring it in front of the toe of the foot and lifting the forward end of the catch lever 18, which, on

account of its beveled end, slips past the loop 19 and allows the latter to swing underneath the end of said lever. This locks the movable leg in retracted position, and puts the spring 10 under greater tension. The ball is then dropped through the ring 29, and strikes the trigger arms 22 and on ac; count of the nice balance of the trigger device and the very slight friction between the loop 19 and lever 18, said trigger device is oscillated to disengage loop 19 from lever 18, thus releasing the leg 5 which snaps'forwardly so rapidly that it catches the ball before it has time to move on the trigger arms 22, and propels the same in the manner of a kicked foot ball.

The toy described is of simple construction, and is so arranged that it is actuated automatically by the delivery of the ball thereto through the guide ring 27. The toy is of substantial construction, reliable in operation, and the parts are so arranged that the movable foot will contact squarely with the ball and thus propel it to a maximum distance. Obviously, the design or" character of the figure can be changed to suit the fancy of the maker or user.

We claim:

1. A mechanical toy comprising a figure provided with a spring propelled pivoted limb, a catch for holding said limb in retracted position, and a ball actuated device for releasing said catch and so located that the ball when in position to actuate the release device is in position to be impelled by the released limb.

2. A mechanical toy comprising a figure provided with a spring propelled pivoted limb, a catch for holding said limb in retracted position, a ball actuated device for releasing said catch and so located that the ball when in the act of actuating said release device is in position to be impelled by the released limb, and means for directing said ball to the trigger device.

3. A mechanical toy comprising a figure provided with a. spring propelled pivoted limb, a catch for holding said limb in retracted position, and a balanced device for releasing said catch, said release device comprising a pair of spaced arms to be contacted by the ball and in position to have foot of the released limb pass therebetween. 4. A mechanical toy comprising a figure v provided with a spring propelled pivoted limb, a catch for holding said limb in retracted position, abalanced device located forwardly of the figure, and a lever connected to the catch and arranged to be engaged by the release device, said parts being so arranged that the stress of the pivoted limb on said catch produces a minimum amount of friction between the lever and the release device.

5. A mechanical toy comprising a figure provided with a spring propelled pivoted limb, a pivotally mounted catch for holding the limb in retracted position and located rearwardly of the figure and so arranged that the stress of the pivoted lever exerts mostly a horizontal stress on the pivot of said catch, a lever connected to said catch and projecting forwardly, and a release device pivotally mounted forwardly of the figure and having a portion arranged to engage with and become disengaged from the forward end of said lever by a horizontal movement, whereby the. friction between said release device and lever is reduced to a minimum.

6. A mechanical toy comprising a figure provided with a spring propelled pivoted limb, a catch device for holding said limb in retracted position, pivotally mounted rearwardly of the figure, a forwardly projecting horizontal lever connected to said catch, and a release device pivotally mounted forwardly of the figure and provided with spaced projecting arms to be contacted by th ball, and an oppositely projecting counter-balance and with a downwardly project ing member arranged to engage the forward end of the catch lever by a horizontal movement;

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands. 

